Riyadh Gov. Prince Khaled bin Bandar has pledged SR1 million toward the blood money needed to save Joselito Zapanta, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) convicted of killing his landlord in 2009, from the death penalty.

“Prince Khaled’s pledge is good news, not only for Zapanta’s family, but for OFWs in the Kingdom as well,” said Benny M. Quiambao, a community leader.

Zapanta was convicted and sentenced to death for killing his Sudanese landlord, Imam Ibrahim, in a rent dispute back in 2009.

Ibrahim’s family initially demanded SR5 million, but the amount has since been lowered to SR4 million. Negotiations are still ongoing to have the amount lowered further. The deadline for payment was originally set for Nov. 12, 2012, but has been extended several times. A new one-month extension was recently given.

Alex Bello, OFW Congress president, said: “The only problem now is from where to gather the rest of the SR4 million being asked by the victim’s family,” he said.

Jejomar Binay, vice president and presidential adviser on OFW concerns, announced Prince Khaled’s pledge in a statement on Tuesday.

“I hope that this amount and the amount raised by the Philippine government will be enough to spare Joselito’s life,” Binay said.

He added that many individuals, including Filipino citizens, have expressed their intention to help.

“While many choose to remain anonymous, their kindness has gone a long way in raising the amount needed to save Zapanta,” said Binay.

Binay had also previously announced that President Benigno Aquino III had donated a “substantial amount” toward’s the blood money.

“Once again, I call on our ‘kababayans’ (Tagalog for compatriot) to help in raising sufficient blood money to save a fellow Filipino,” Binay said.

Donations can be made to the sub-account at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh through the Saudi Hollandi Bank: Account Number 037-040-790-022

International Bank Account Number (IBAN): SA 61-5000-0000-0370-4079-0022

Swift Code: AAALSARI.